BC Ideas Exchange Story Library
Twin Sisters Native Plants Nursery
Growing Economic Opportunity with Native Plant RestorationRead the full story
Powell River Attraction Campaign
Selling a Small-Town Lifestyle to Attract Entrepreneurs and InvestmentRead the full story
Ucluelet Business Retention & Expansion
How a Chamber of Commerce Pivoted Toward Economic DevelopmentRead the full story
Tumbler Ridge Conuma Challenge
How Go-Karts Improve Education Outcomes and Build CommunityRead the full story
Langley City Brownfield Redevelopment
Attracting Development of Brownfield Sites through a Multi-Faceted StrategyRead the full story
Economic development success stories
Are you looking for economic development ideas and inspiration for your community? The BC Ideas Exchange showcases B.C. communities and their innovative approaches to economic development.
The best economic development practices are usually developed through community experience, lessons learned and innovation. B.C. communities, even on small budgets, are finding innovative ways to initiate and promote economic development in their communities.
The BC Ideas Exchange is a space for communities to share success stories and how they've addressed economic development challenges, and to discuss lessons learned and best practices.
Explore success stories by category and connect with communities:
Communities throughout B.C. are improving their skills, knowledge, tools and other resources to reach their economic goals. This section features stories to help you boost your community’s ability to develop strategies and plans, measure results, initiate and maintain collaboration, and access funding.
How the Gwa'sala-'Nakwaxda'xw are Determining their Economic Future – Tsulquate
Leveraging Co-operation and Business Investment to Power Economic Development – Cranbrook & Kimberley
Multi-Channel Ad Campaign Uses Data Insights to Attract New Residents and Businesses – Lower Columbia Region
Building on a Community's Assets to Create an Economic Development Strategy – Cormorant Island
Grassroots Economic Development Benefits Island Municipality – Bowen Island
Community Economic Development is an inclusive process improving outcomes for the whole community, and equity-seeking groups in particular. In this section, you can learn about community-owned initiatives that are stabilizing local economies, creating long-term employment, and delivering positive economic, social, and environmental outcomes.
Growing Economic Opportunity Through Native Plant Restoration – Moberly Lake
Protecting Haida Values through Sustainable Forestry – Haida Gwaii
Bringing a Local Harvest to an International Market – Klemtu
Regional Partnership Creates Value-Added Food Products and Local Jobs – Creston Valley
Transforming a Mining Town into a Solar Energy Destination – Kimberley
Community Collaboration Brings Back Health Care – Scotch Creek
Creating Jobs and New Revenue Streams with a Community Forest License – Barriere
Protecting an Old-Growth Ecoforest through Community Organization – Vancouver Island
Land use planning and developing community assets like recreation facilities or transportation networks can create or enhance the economic opportunities for a community. In this section, discover inspiring examples of development throughout B.C. and find out about resources to support land and amenity development.
Attracting Development of Brownfield Sites through a Multi-Faceted Strategy – Langley City
Creating Opportunity for Small Business through Zoning and Permitting – Port Moody
Targeted Revitalization through Economic Investment Zones – Penticton
Landowners and Volunteers Work Together to Manage Community Trail Network – Cumberland
Government-to-Government Partnerships Create Industrial Development, Tax Revenue, and Jobs – Terrace
Students' Study of Local Airport Leads to New Land Development Potential – Township of Langley
Community-Led Park Development Project Creates Jobs and Attracts Visitors to Elk Falls – Campbell River
Indigenous organizations are advancing the economic self-determination and success of Indigenous people throughout B.C. with a range of strategies. In this section, you can see how First Nations and Indigenous communities are moving forward through ingenuity and collaboration.
Growing Economic Opportunity Through Native Plant Restoration – Moberly Lake
How the Gwa'sala-'Nakwaxda'xw are Determining their Economic Future – Tsulquate
Boosting Businesses through the Aboriginal Canadian Entrepreneurship Program – Throughout B.C.
Protecting Haida Values through Sustainable Forestry – Haida Gwaii
Bringing a Local Harvest to an International Market – Klemtu
Start-up Program Helps Entrepreneurs Take their Ideas to the Next Level – Westbank First Nation
Government-to-Government Partnerships Create Industrial Development, Tax Revenue, and Jobs – Terrace
Building on a Community's Assets to Create an Economic Development Strategy – Cormorant Island
Local economic development calls for savvy promotion through investment attraction, tourism marketing, and resident attraction and retention. In this section, you can learn from other communities and enhance your own toolkit for promoting your community for economic development.
Selling a Small-Town Lifestyle to Attract Entrepreneurs and Investment – Powell River
Attracting Young Urban Creatives to Small Town B.C. – Kaslo
“Island Good” Makes It Easy for Islanders to Shop Local – Vancouver Island
Social Media Buzz Leads to Greater Community Awareness and Engagement – Kamloops
Business Attraction Video Highlights Local Value Proposition and Draws Investors – Township of Langley
Cross-Sector Partnership Builds a New Info Centre that Attracts Visitors and Investors Alike – Revelstoke
Attracting Key Forestry Investors with Targeted Promotional Materials – District of Stewart
A vital and robust local economy needs a dynamic and growing business sector. In this section, you can see examples and learn more about supporting existing businesses to improve conditions for success, while growing the next generation of businesses through entrepreneurship.
How a Chamber of Commerce Pivoted Toward Economic Development – Ucluelet
Boosting Businesses through the Aboriginal Canadian Entrepreneurship Program – Throughout B.C.
Start-up Program Helps Entrepreneurs Take their Ideas to the Next Level – Westbank First Nation
Agri-Tourism Program Gives Farmers Access to New Revenue Streams – Central Okanagan
Business Walks Open Dialogue Between Local Stakeholders – Abbotsford
Venture Kamloops Advisor Program Prepares Entrepreneurs with a Mini "Dragon's Den" – Kamloops
Technology as an industry sector is growing in B.C., while innovative uses of technology are invigorating existing industries to support economic sustainability. This section looks at how technology and innovation are transforming local economies and supporting community well-being.
A Winning Municipal Tech Strategy: From Broadband to International Recognition as a Smart Community – Nelson
Diversifying the Local Economy Starting with a Municipally-Owned Broadband Network – Campbell River
Building a Tech Strategy with a Committed Local Task Force – Revelstoke
Metal Tech Alley: How an Industry Town in Rural B.C. Rebuilt its Economy – Trail
Communities throughout B.C. are using a wide range of strategies to help companies meet their workforce needs. In this section, see how Industry and education partnerships, skills development, immigration programs, and increasing access to jobs for workers who face barriers are developing B.C.’s workforce.
Overcoming Disabilities and Mental Health Challenges to Attain Satisfying Employment – Victoria
How Go-Karts Improve Education Outcomes and Build Community – Tumbler Ridge
Workforce Development Partnership Reaching New Heights – Kelowna
Building a Competitive Local Film Industry through Workforce Training – North Central Vancouver Island
Growing the Next Generation of Entrepreneurs in Rural B.C. – Nechako Lakes
The Whistler Experience Optimizes Training for World-Class Customer Service – Whistler
Investing in Personalized Health Professional Attraction Pays Off – Quesnel
Attracting Digital Talent From Across Canada with the "Make It Here" Campaign – Kelowna